Yes, the responses here are instructive. I do however think that there is hope. There are instincts within atleast a minority of Republicans who know inherently that science is all we have. After all, Reagan did start the super collider in Waxahachie.
In my view any movement centered around personalities and a sense of identity tend to benefit from people being in the dark rather than being knowledgeable. Hence these attacks on experts, intellectuals, universities and media. I do not think leaders are the long term problem or long term solution. Yes, if there are strong leaders, in the short term one side can achieve its objectives, but it wont last. Trump is not the problem, he is only the symptom.
Change need to be at the grassroots level. People who are of the opinion that Science should be promoted, supported and given its deserved central position in the society should get ourselves more educated in developments that are going on at the grassroots level.
For instance, if we were to ask ourselves some questions such as below
- is homeschooling rates increasing or decreasing in the USA. Is that healthy?
- are rural Americans getting adequate continuing education to understand developments in Science and how it impacts their lives? what can be done about it?
- is my congressman voting for a budget decision, for or against furthering science and technology in this country?
… it is likely that even among the people who want to keep this nations leadership position will not know enough about these. In my view that is the problem.
